3.25.2008

Exhibit 8.7

Stock Photography Review

A poorly chosen stock photo can give the impression of incompetence instead of the shallow, faceless reassurance you want to evoke in the viewer. As most stock photographers and models are unfamiliar with the scenarios they are supposed to play out--and, it seems, photography and modelling generally--it's easy for errors (and worse) to creep their way into the pictures.

These "errors" tells us a great deal about the state of our nation and the consequences of our ineptitude.



For example, this doctor seems bemused at the fact that he's repeatedly missed this woman's hand cancer. As they stand slack-jawed, pondering her impending death, he offers no reassurances or hugs, only amazement at the fact that she not only has two right hands, but that one of those hands has rapidly metastasizing tumor which has extended like a sixth finger beyond the hand's traditional boundaries.

She, on the other hand, always knew about the hand cancer--it was why she was referred to him--but just couldn't bear to hurt his feelings by asking about it after their second appointment together. Now she's just trying to peer past the sight of her undoing to see if there is a ring on his finger because there isn't one on either of her two right hands.

Or maybe I'm just reading into it. Let's look at this guy:



This is clearly a commentary on America's nuclear vulnerability. This guy risked everything just to take his picture next to Reactor 7, his favorite. When he couldn't get the shot he wanted with his hazard suit on, he shed it but kept his hard hat because he knows nothing about Reactor 7 except that he loves it so.

What may appear to be a "flavor savor" is actually the cancer spreading stylishly from his chin. This is exactly what happened to Howie Mandel.

Still, our science can save them:



They are either curing these people's cancer or making them some rock candy so they don't feel so bad about it. Based on the color, I'm betting rock candy.



And then there are these people who don't even know they are standing right next to each other...or that they're in love. This picture says sad things about the state of industry in our new service-oriented economy but it says great things about our romantic comedy industry. I see this one as Career Opportunities meets Disclosure. We'll laugh, we'll love, we'll recession.



Tom sold all of his tools to buy that teal toolbox, but it didn't matter, not even when they laughed, not even when Cindy left.

The worst part about the national malaise these photos illustrate is that even a sure-to-be-booming industry like crime is immune:



Look how sad and befuddled that poor, hooded robber is by the simple lock system of this Taurus. But a purse from Target! But a circa 2000 Nokia!

I bet he'll stand there looking at it all day until he has to go home to his family who wait hungry for food and smack. It's almost too sad for words. Almost.

At least the wage workers will get a holiday party at work:



No, no, that's not right, that's not right at all!

(I spent the better part of an hour trying to come up with a legitimate reason for that photo to exist. I've got nothing).

2 comments:

jimStock said...

Reactor 7 might be Ty Pennington's coup de grace makeover. The radiation has dried his tears. Either way, he looks ready.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Jennifer Connelly had some hairy caterpillars on her head in Career Opportunities. She must be related to Eugene Levy.